Chiropractic Therapy vs. Alternate Treatment for Whiplash

When researching treatment for whiplash symptoms, chiropractic treatment is the most common method of relieving pain and promoting wellness.

You may be wondering why a chiropractor is best suited for your needs, as opposed to an alternative treatment. In today's blog, join us as we break down why chiropractic therapy is best suited to treat whiplash.

What is Whiplash?

Whiplash occurs when the neck experiences a sudden jolting motion, forcefully jerking the head quickly forward and backward. This rapid motion causes the muscles and tendons in the neck to stretch and tear, resulting in damage that is referred to as a neck strain. If the ligaments in the neck are torn during whiplash, this is referred to as a neck sprain.

In the course of our practice, we have unearthed a plethora of whiplash statistics you should know. Approximately 3 million new cases of whiplash occur each year, and more than 50 percent of those cases incur some degree of chronic pain.

Whiplash is typically caused by a car collision, but can also be caused by a trauma such as sports accidents, falls, or physical abuse. Symptoms of whiplash include:

• Pain with neck movement
• Headaches at the base of the skull
• Fatigue
• Dizziness
• Difficulty sleeping
• Memory problems
• Tingling or numbness in the arms
• Tenderness or pain in the shoulders or upper back

Alternative Treatments to Whiplash

The road to recovery from whiplash often takes months, and does require assistance in gaining back full range of motion in the neck, as well as alleviating pain. Many individuals suffering whiplash turn to over-the-counter pain medication and rest to recuperate, but others take their pain to other practices.

Physical Therapy

Physical therapy is by no means counter-productive in the course of eradicating whiplash symptoms. In fact, many chiropractors will recommend physical therapy sessions once the strain or sprain has healed. However, physical therapists are not the answer to pain immediately after whiplash symptoms have settled into effect.

Where physical therapists are skilled, they do lack experience in the healing of the damaged tissue itself. Damaged tissue requires specialized knowledge in manipulation and stretching, or symptoms can worsen if aggravated by improper physical activity.

Orthopedic Surgeons

Orthopedists have a vast knowledge of muscle and tendons. However, orthopedists believe in surgeries, injections, and prescription medications. Though this may be the route some feel comfortable taking, chiropractors focus on natural healing.

Chiropractic therapy focuses on healing the body from the inside out, using an approach that doesn't include introducing harmful or addictive substances into the body. With chiropractic therapy, your chiropractor will only issue treatments that will be minimally invasive to completely noninvasive, and not risk providing you with unnatural, synthetic solutions to pain management.

Home Remedies

It is true that whiplash symptoms will benefit from rest and relaxation. Additionally, icing the neck as well as taking warm baths can provide momentary relief from pain symptoms. However, it is important to note that the muscles, tendons, ligaments, bones, and nerves of the neck are all connected to your central musculoskeletal system. When something is damaged or out of place, the effects will radiate throughout your body.

It is essential that you have your whiplash symptoms addressed by a professional. Untreated whiplash injuries and torn tissue can result in chronic pain. A visit to the chiropractor can potentially save you years of pain.

Chiropractic Care for Whiplash

Chiropractors utilize a variety of therapies to treat whiplash symptoms and provide pain relief. The first step to providing pain relief is to reduce inflammation in the neck. Your chiropractor can utilize non-invasive techniques to decrease swelling, such as:

• Hot and cold therapy
• Ultrasound therapy
• Electric stimulation (E-stim)
• Massage Therapy

Additionally, your chiropractor can perform spinal manipulation to assure the vertebrae and discs located in the upper spinal column are aligned and not placing pressure on spinal nerves.

Whiplash is the most common injury resulting from auto accidents. In order to assure you are receiving proper treatment, visit a ChiroCare of Florida office today.